Party Planning Ideas & Inspiration

December 30, 2009

This year, rather than compete with the Vegas strip for ringing in the new year, I am hosting lunch on New Year's Day. One of my invitees knew exactly what he wanted to bring (Black Eyed Peas) and exactly what he would like me to serve (Ham and Steamed Cabbage). I was thinking of a menu more of the frittata variety but after hearing my friend's enthusiasm, I decided to go with it.

Southern tradition holds that one should eat black eyed peas for good luck and prosperity. In the deep South, we also eat turnip, mustard or collard greens. Other regions eat cabbage (clearly my friend is from the other South). Greens represent paper money while the peas represent coins. Cornbread is served alongside, signifying gold.

Given the state of the economy, it seems appropriate to start the new year with a meal that is humble with a touch of superstitious magic.

When it comes to cooking with black eyed peas, I trust the Texans. Every Junior League in Texas has their own favorite preparation Homesick Texan has recipes for a pot of black eyed peas, black eyed pea dip and the perennial favorite, Texas Caviar.

New Year's Day marks the end of holiday feasting. With ham on the table, there has to be a Sweet Potato Casserole. Sugar & Spice By Celeste has a recipe that most resembles the one my mom made.

Bacon fat - that is what makes or breaks steamed cabbage, in my opinion. Gluten Free Journey makes her with pancetta, leeks and shallots.

Brennan's Texas Cornbread Pudding recipe can be found online at Recipe Helpers or in theBrennan's Of Houston In Your Kitchen cookbook by Chef Carl Walker. Mixed within the cornbread is chopped green pepper (or jalepeno) and corn kernels, with a melted layer of pepper jack cheese. Taste Of Home has a Semi-Homemade style version.

"Apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, butter and oats. Welcome to the essential ingredients of the apple crisp..." as prepared by SimplyRecipes.

I'll put out crudites with a sun dried tomato/olive oil dip and nuts. Drinks are simple: iced tea and champagne.

December 29, 2009

Everyone loves a bit of glamour and decadence on New Year's. Celebrate the famed Ball Drop with your own Disco Ball Bash! Silver, white and red are all perfect as your jump-off point.

Set your table with a silver tablecloth and white china, and accent napkins with red ribbon. Collect various sizes of pillar candles and mimic this fabulous tabletop from In Style Parties. Don't you heart the giant disco ball over the table?

Another option, add lots of sparkle with reflective surfaces, silver candlesticks, votive holders and vases. Fill oversized glasses with decor items a la Setting The Mood With Jamee's bash, and check out all her silver pieces.

In addition to disco ball ornaments, add to the bling with flat marbles, acrylic diamonds and sprinkles like this table setting from HWTM.

Social Couture's Hollywood Bash is complete with beautiful feather accents and I just love the mirrored napkin rings.

Dig out all of your candleholders and use them as support stands to create smaller-scaled accent pieces like these from Admar Decor .

Have guests create their own blinged-out party hat, set up a photo area with a few more fun props like oversized sequined glasses and let the fun begin. Send the photos home as a thank-you card.

End the party and begin the new year right with these cute cookie favors from No Fuss Fabulous! I love how a simple cookie becomes a thoughtful treat and even better, she has provided the tag download for free! Not Just A Mommy!

December 28, 2009

1. Dress up any white tablecloth with tulle and shimmery confetti then
tuck a boa around the plates to give the table a luxurious feel - Better
Homes and Gardens.2. A glamorous New Year's party from Sandra
Lee.3. Create dazzling champagne glasses using silver ribbon and
sparkling snowflake tags - Entertain
Exchange.4. Star-studded accents from Better Homes and Gardens.

December 21, 2009

Use leftover evergreens to make these window snowflakes - from Sunset.

Add the perfect backdrop to your evergreen ornaments by giving windows an
iced look - even if you don't live in a frosty climate. Just coat windows with a
holiday decorating spray that's easy to clean off with water.

MATERIALS (for one snowflake)

• Five fir sprigs of equal length (7 in. maximum)

• Three 18-in. pieces of 20-gauge floral wire

• Three 18-in. pieces of 22-gauge floral wire

• Ribbon

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Lay two fir sprigs upside down, end to end.

Bend one end of an 18-in. piece of 20-gauge floral wire into a loop for
hanging. Set the loop of wire flush with the top of a sprig, with the wire's
other end resting along the length of both sprigs.

Step 2: Secure the loop-topped wire to the end-to-end sprigs by
wrapping an 18-in. piece of the thinner (22-gauge) wire every couple of inches
along the length of the two sprigs. Twist the straight end of the thicker wire
around the tip of the bottom sprig to finish.

Repeat with another pair of end-to-end sprigs, omitting the initial loop.
Then repeat with a single sprig, again omitting the initial loop, and leaving
the excess wire (do not clip).

Step 3: Cross the two dual-sprig pieces (one on top of the other) to
form an X (they're the top four pieces in the photo of step 3), then twist the
wired sprigs together where they meet in the center. Bend the X slightly as
needed to make room for the fifth sprig.

Step 4: Position the fifth sprig as shown at left.

Wrap its excess wire several times around the center of the X until it's
tightly in place. Bend all wired sprigs as needed to refine the snowflake shape.

December 14, 2009

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